Russia, Georgia Fight Over Breakaway Region Georgian Forces Launch South Ossetia Offensive August 8, 2008 • A battle has begun on the border between the Republic of Georgia and Russia. Georgian forces backed by warplanes have launched a full-scale internal offensive in the region of South Ossetia. They're fighting with Russian-backed separatists over control of the breakaway region. Madeleine Brand talks with Lawrence Sheets about the fighting. Georgian Forces Launch South Ossetia Offensive Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93420257/93420243" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Georgian Forces Launch South Ossetia Offensive Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93420257/93420243" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Georgia, Russia Square Off in a State of Emergency November 8, 2007 • Relations between Russia and Georgia have declined further after the Georgian president imposed a state of emergency in his country Wednesday. The Georgian government blames what it calls "Russian agitators" for the weeklong protests demanding new elections. Georgia, Russia Square Off in a State of Emergency Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16126301/16126249" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Georgia, Russia Square Off in a State of Emergency Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16126301/16126249" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Georgia Reports an Attempt to Smuggle Uranium January 25, 2007 • Georgia says its security services have foiled an attempt by a Russian smuggler to sell weapons-grade uranium. Georgia's Interior Ministry says the man was arrested as he tried to sell a few ounces of highly enriched uranium for $1 million to a Georgian agent. The man said he had access to much more uranium. Georgia Reports an Attempt to Smuggle Uranium Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7022263/7022264" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Georgia Reports an Attempt to Smuggle Uranium Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7022263/7022264" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Turkmenistan Rudderless After President's Death December 22, 2006 • The death of Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov, also known as Turkmenbashi, or "Father of all Turkmen," leaves a power vacuum in an energy rich nation built around a cult of personality. Niyazov died at age 66, after more than two decades in power. Turkmenistan Rudderless After President's Death Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6663346/6663347" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Turkmenistan Rudderless After President's Death Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6663346/6663347" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Tensions Rise Between Russia and Georgia July 26, 2006 • In the former Soviet republic of Georgia, clashes have broken out between government forces and paramilitaries loyal to a local warlord. Georgia claims the rebellion is inspired by its neighbor Russia as a plot to destabilize the country. Russia denies the claim. Tensions Rise Between Russia and Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5582927/5582928" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tensions Rise Between Russia and Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5582927/5582928" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Chechen Rebel Was Proud of Attacks on Russians July 11, 2006 • The Russian government says the man who claimed responsibility for the bloody Beslan school siege is dead. Officials say Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev was killed Monday by Russian special forces. Reporter Lawrence Sheets met Basayev while covering Chechnya and talks to Steve Inskeep about the man. Chechen Rebel Was Proud of Attacks on Russians Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5548014/5548015" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Chechen Rebel Was Proud of Attacks on Russians Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5548014/5548015" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Georgia Seeks U.S. Help in Russian Conflicts July 5, 2006 • As President Bush hosts the president of the former Soviet republic of Georgia in Washington, D.C., the Georgian government faces several conflicts with Russia. Georgia Seeks U.S. Help in Russian Conflicts Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5535341/5535342" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Georgia Seeks U.S. Help in Russian Conflicts Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5535341/5535342" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Russia Debates Shipping Stalin Home to Georgia June 6, 2006 • After Nikita Khrushchev's denunciation of Josef Stalin, the late Soviet dictator's remains were unceremoniously removed from a mausoleum and reburied next to the Kremlin wall. Russia Debates Shipping Stalin Home to Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5453519/5453520" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Russia Debates Shipping Stalin Home to Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5453519/5453520" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Russia Bans Wine Imports from Neighboring Georgia May 16, 2006 • Russia has banned wine imports from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. Officials with Russia's health ministry says the wines often contain unhealthy levels of chemicals and heavy metals, but Georgia's government says the ban is politically motivated and designed to punish the nation for pushing for closer ties to the European Union and the United States. Russia Bans Wine Imports from Neighboring Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5408613/5408614" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Russia Bans Wine Imports from Neighboring Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5408613/5408614" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Kidnapping Custom Makes a Comeback in Georgia May 14, 2006 • In some rural parts of the Republic of Georgia, an old custom is experiencing a revival. Women are being kidnapped and held for a night by men who want to marry them, thereby making eventual nuptials a necessity, according to local traditions. Some families say they fear letting their daughters go out into public, lest they be "forced" into unwanted marriages. Activists are speaking out against the "tradition," but they concede it may be hard to change attitudes. Kidnapping Custom Makes a Comeback in Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5403695/5403696" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Kidnapping Custom Makes a Comeback in Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5403695/5403696" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Black Sea Plane Crash Kills 113 May 3, 2006 • An Armenian passenger plane crashes in stormy weather off Russia's Black Sea coast as it heads in for landing, killing all 113 people on board. NPR newscast report. Toggle more options Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5378817/5379493" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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World Georgia Boosts Troop Commitment to Iraq Coalition April 3, 2006 • Many countries that sent soldiers to Iraq when the U.S. led an invasion to oust Saddam Hussein three years ago have since pulled some or all of their troops out. But not the former Soviet republic of Georgia, which has actually increased its troop commitment. Georgia Boosts Troop Commitment to Iraq Coalition Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5319768/5319769" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Georgia Boosts Troop Commitment to Iraq Coalition Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5319768/5319769" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Territorial Tensions Build Between Russia and Georgia March 31, 2006 • Relations between Russia and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia have reached dangerous new lows. Georgian officials suspect that Russia wants to annex two areas of their republic. Observers say a worst-case scenario would involve a direct war between Russia and Georgia over the territory. Territorial Tensions Build Between Russia and Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5314506/5314507" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Territorial Tensions Build Between Russia and Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5314506/5314507" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Freezing Georgia Tussles with Russia Over Gas Prices February 2, 2006 • The former Soviet republic of Georgia is enduring its coldest winter in a decade, and it's also locked in a battle with Russia over natural gas prices. Georgia is refusing to pay higher prices set by Russia -- and to make matters worse, an unexplained pipeline explosion in Russia cut off supplies to a shivering Georgia last week. Georgia president Mikhail Saakashvili cut short a trip to the World Economic Forum on Thursday to deal with a country in crisis. Freezing Georgia Tussles with Russia Over Gas Prices Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5185478/5185479" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Freezing Georgia Tussles with Russia Over Gas Prices Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5185478/5185479" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World 'Patriot Camps' Cause Concern in Former Soviet Republic October 12, 2005 • In the former Soviet republic of Georgia, thousands of young people have been attending voluntary patriot camps. The government says the camps help to counter cynicism among young Georgians. But the camps feature basic military training, and have been criticized by Georgia's political opposition. 'Patriot Camps' Cause Concern in Former Soviet Republic Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4955289/4955290" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Patriot Camps' Cause Concern in Former Soviet Republic Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4955289/4955290" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Old-Style Business in Former Soviet Union October 10, 2005 • Western consumer culture has spread quickly throughout much of the former Soviet Union since the collapse of communism. But in areas, the old ways of doing business remain. Old-Style Business in Former Soviet Union Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4952425/4952426" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Old-Style Business in Former Soviet Union Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4952425/4952426" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
National Taking Time Out from War for Shopping October 5, 2005 • Skirmishes continue between the warring former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Their common border remains closed and soldiers frequently fire at each other from trenches on both sides. But Lawrence Sheets reports that, despite hostilities, citizens of both countries continue to meet and trade at a Georgian flea market on the border. Taking Time Out from War for Shopping Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4946336/4946337" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Taking Time Out from War for Shopping Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4946336/4946337" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Post-Soviet Georgia Works to Reform Police August 25, 2005 • Police officers in the former Soviet republic of Georgia used to be known for being corrupt and inefficient. One of the first acts of the new government was to fire nearly 55,000 police. New officers are being paid a wage they can live on and the government has tried to re-fashion the image of the police. Post-Soviet Georgia Works to Reform Police Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4814996/4814997" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Post-Soviet Georgia Works to Reform Police Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4814996/4814997" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World After Long Anthem Shuffle, Has Georgia Found Its Tune? August 24, 2005 • The former Soviet satellite nation of Georgia has had four national anthems in the past 14 years. Practically no one liked, or even knew, the words to the last anthem, which was hard to memorize. But Georgians have enthusiastically embraced the new anthem, adopted after the country's 2003 "Rose Revolution." Lawrence Sheets reports on the song and its chances for survival. After Long Anthem Shuffle, Has Georgia Found Its Tune? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4813957/4813958" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
After Long Anthem Shuffle, Has Georgia Found Its Tune? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4813957/4813958" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Bush Receives Warm Welcome in Georgia May 10, 2005 • President Bush wound up a four-nation overseas trip on Tuesday with an address to tens of thousands of people in Tbilisi, the capital of the Georgia. Bush praised the country's move toward democracy and its efforts to forge an independent international identity. Bush Receives Warm Welcome in Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4647008/4647009" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Bush Receives Warm Welcome in Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4647008/4647009" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World President Bush in Post-Soviet Georgia May 10, 2005 • President Bush's visit to the former Soviet Union satellite republic of Georgia was seen by some as a rebuff to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom the United States believes has backpedaled on promises to speed up democracy. Ed Gordon speaks to Lawrence Sheets about how Bush was received in Russia and Georgia. President Bush in Post-Soviet Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4646091/4646092" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
President Bush in Post-Soviet Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4646091/4646092" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Bush to Praise Democracy in Georgia During Visit May 9, 2005 • President Bush's next stop is the former Soviet republic of Georgia. He is expected to praise the country for its turn toward democracy during the peaceful "Rose Revolution" that brought a pro-western leader into office. Bush to Praise Democracy in Georgia During Visit Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4635441/4635442" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Bush to Praise Democracy in Georgia During Visit Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4635441/4635442" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Bush Marks End of WWII in Russia, Next to Georgia May 9, 2005 • Alex Chadwick speaks Lawrence Sheets, who's following President Bush as he tours Russia and former Soviet Bloc states. Bush joined Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Later Monday, arrived in Georgia to continue his four-nation tour of the region. Bush Marks End of WWII in Russia, Next to Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4636768/4636769" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Bush Marks End of WWII in Russia, Next to Georgia Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4636768/4636769" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Putin Delivers Russia's State of the Union Address April 25, 2005 • In his state of the union speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin laments the collapse of the Soviet empire, blaming it for the rise of separatist movements. He also made comments that seemed to be an effort at damage control in the prosecution of an oil executive, a case that critics say is politically motivated. Putin Delivers Russia's State of the Union Address Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4619014/4619015" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Putin Delivers Russia's State of the Union Address Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4619014/4619015" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">